Hold Your Nerve! Supporting Brain Function

By Administrator
3 months ago
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Modern life is very taxing on our brains. We’re constantly required to multitask, remember things, concentrate, and communicate. We are submitted to a barrage of stimulation from all manner of sources, especially now with TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones. So it’s even more important that we keep our brains in top condition.

The most recently developed part of our brain, the cerebral cortex, plays a major part in memory and cognition. Its normal function is dependent on multiple interlinking factors, many of which may be influenced by nutritional factors. Neurotransmitters, chemicals that help our nerve cells communicate, such acetylcholine, glutamate and dopamine are required for memory, stimulation and motivation respectively. These chemicals require raw nutritional ‘materials’ including choline, amino acids and B vitamins to be made. The structure of the nerve cells themselves relies on fatty substances like essential fats and phospholipids for the function of the cell membranes so they can be fired in response to neurotransmitters efficiently.Good blood circulation, along with good antioxidant status, are also vital to maintaining healthy brain structure and function.

Lifestyle factors also play a key role. Stress has been identified as a factor in cognitive decline, while anxiety levels have been linked to the progression of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease.Maintaining a social life and staying physically active is associated with continued cognitive health, whereas social isolation and loneliness have been identified as risk factors for decline.

How can we protect our nerves?

Luckily there is plenty of potential to nourish our brains and offer it better protection and support.

Choline is central to acetylcholine production and nerve cell structure, so improving cognition.[x]

Folate and vitamin B12 support a process called methylation which is essential for making neurotransmitters.[xi][xii]Vitamin B5 may be helpful as a precursor for the memory neurotransmitter acetylcholine.[xiii]

Magnesium,[xiv]vitamin B6,[xv]the amino acids taurine[xvi]and theanine,[xvii]herbs such as lemon balm[xviii]and chamomile,[xix] and probiotics such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus,[xx]can all promote the calming action of the neurotransmitter GABA and have been shown to improve stress and anxiety.

Lifestyle changes can also have a powerful impact:

A healthy balanced diet is essential for a nourished nervous system.

Increase daylight exposure by going for a gentle walk or even just sitting in the garden for a while. People with low levels of vitamin D have a 60% greater risk of experiencing substantial cognitive decline.[xxi]

Take part in daily exercise which shows direct benefits to long-term memory as well as indirect benefits to simple reaction time tests.[xxii]

Get enough sleep! Keep to a routine with a regular sleeping pattern (e.g. 10pm-7am per night), limit evening exposure to blue light/electronics, keep the bedroom as dark as possible.

Protect yourself from toxins in the environment, as they are capable of binding to and interfering with nerve cell membranes. Exposure to solvents,[xxiii] cigarette smoke,[xxiv] mercury[xxv] and lead,[xxvi] has been linked to MS, and mercury is associated with higher risk of neurodegenerative disorder (AD).[xxvii],[xxviii]

Top up your gut bacteria! Our gut microbiome has a profound impact on the nervous system as certain strains of live bacteria (Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria).[xxix] You can top up your levels through supplementation of live bacteria and eating probiotic rich foods such as kefir, sauerkraut and miso.

Don’t stress! Establishing the key stressors in your life and having some ‘downtime’ can be detrimental in increasing resilience to stress.[xxx]

Practicing mindful meditation and relaxing can really help. It is important to choose the relaxation technique which is meaningful to and sustainable for you to keep doing. Music has been shown to reduce cortisol in certain situations,[xxxi] as well as dancing[xxxii]and laughing.[xxxiii]

For those stressors that run deeper, such as long term grief or post-traumatic stress, seeking counselling, life coaching, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be really helpful and supportive in the long run.

We’re totally dependent on our nervous system to link us to the outside world. By optimising our diet and lifestyle we can boost its function, resulting in healthier interactions and engagement with our environment, supporting our senses, thinking, planning and remembering.

Got a question?

The brand you can talk to:

We have a team of Nutritionists at the end of our advice line, open to you, for product support and advice (5 days a week). 0121 433 8702 or clinicalnutrition@biocare.co.uk